One of the six cartoons by Raj Thackeray dedicated to Amitabh Bachchan.

MNS supremo Raj Thackeray who once targeted Amitabh Bachchan has showered rich praises on the actor on the occasion of the latter's 75th Birthday.In 2008, the MNS had taken offence to his statements where he had endorsed himself as a North Indian. In a function, Amitabh Bachchan had said t

MNS supremo Raj Thackeray who once targeted Amitabh Bachchan has showered rich praises on the actor on the occasion of the latter's 75th Birthday.

In 2008, the MNS had taken offence to his statements where he had endorsed himself as a North Indian. In a function, Amitabh Bachchan had said that wherever he had been he has always been known as a "Chhora Ganga Kinare wala". Raj had also criticised Bachchan for being Uttar Pradesh's brand ambassador. Matters had escalated when Jaya Bachchan, too, had jumped into the controversy and had led to an ugly spat between the family and MNS workers.

But letting bygones be bygones, Bachchan and Raj Thackeray shared the stage at the MNS's film wing's function in 2013.

On Wednesday, Raj Thackeray, who is also a well known cartoonist, went one step ahead and praised the actor and also put out a few sketches of the actor's changing persona on his Facebook page. On his Facebook page, Raj Thackeray said that these paintings are a gift and that he hoped that Big B would like it.

In his Facebook post, Raj Thackeray said, "No debate that Amitabh Bachchan altered the style and content of Hindi Cinema, and set a new agenda for filmdom. Again, no debate, that his roles re-defined the post 1970 Indian cinema and his legacy continues. He cast an abiding influence on generations of cinema buffs. Many actors have, down the decades earned their spurs in cinema, making their mark and earning good popularity too. And sooner or later they have faded into the sunset. However, Amitabh Bachchan still holds the sceptre. And how!"

In his Facebook post, Raj also spoke about the differences between the two men a few years ago.

"A couple of years ago, I had differences with him over the issue of Marathi language. I still adhere to my views which I have made known to him. The truth of the matter is legends such as Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachhan and Sachin Tendulkar are not the brand ambassadors of a particular region or state. They belong to India," Raj said.

"Even when I differed with him, I had not a shred of doubt in my mind about his sterling contribution to cinema, his numero uno status as performer," Raj added.

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